The Press Union of Liberia warned on Thursday that democratic gains in Liberia are being undermined, accusing President Joseph Boakai’s administration of narrowing civic space and repressing free expression through a pattern of actions that threaten rule-of-law protections.
In a strongly worded statement titled “No Rescue Without Freedom,” the union cited multiple incidents it said illustrate a backslide in democratic norms, including the controversial removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, the continued detention of Justin Oldpa Yeazehn (also known as Prophet Key) for criminal contempt on orders of the Supreme Court, and the violent suppression of peaceful student protests at the University of Liberia on April 14 and other political rallies.
The PUL also criticized what it described as the extra-legal expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah after he spoke about a border dispute with Guinea; legislative manoeuvres to amend the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act on press freedom that could reintroduce criminal penalties for speech; and a proposed non-disclosure agreement for government employees that the union said would undermine the Freedom of Information Act and the Freedom of Information Commission.
“Democracy is not tested in moments of agreement, but in how a society treats dissent,” the statement said, urging the Boakai administration to protect freedom of expression, respect judicial independence, and ensure actions affecting citizens follow due process.
The PUL called on the government to end the use of force against peaceful protesters and to refrain from legislative rollbacks that would criminalize speech.
The union warned that such developments risk reversing hard-won gains including the repeal of criminal libel, sedition and related statutes, and said any sidestepping of judicial oversight would erode public confidence in the rule of law. “There can be no rescue without freedom,” PUL President Julius Kanubah said.
The PUL said it remains committed to defending press freedom and engaging constructively to safeguard Liberia’s democracy.
